Musk Presses Texas Lawmakers for Direct Electric Car Sales

Elon Musk, the billionaire who leads Tesla Motors Inc. (TSLA), pressed the Texas legislature to pass a measure that would allow the electric carmaker to sell directly to consumers.

Musk said at a news conference today in Austin, the state capital, that current law requiring cars be sold by franchise dealers is hurting his business.

Texas would make up 15 percent to 20 percent of Tesla’s U.S. sales, up from 6 percent now, if lawmakers approve a bill to allow direct purchases of 100 percent electric- or battery- powered vehicles, he said. Palo Alto, California-based Tesla’s revenue will be $489 million in the quarter ended March 31, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

Because of opposition from Texas auto dealers who object to changing the law, “Everyone warned me that you are going to get your ass kicked,” Musk said. “But we’re going to try.”

Tesla, seller of Model S electric sedans priced from $69,900 to more than $100,000, depending on battery size and options, said on March 31 it delivered more than 4,750 of the cars in the quarter that ended that day. Musk also said the 10- year-old company, named for inventor Nikola Tesla, attained its first quarterly profit in that period.
Arranging Purchase

A potential buyer in Texas must contact Tesla representatives in other states to arrange a purchase, including shipping the car to the buyer’s house, Musk said.
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